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June 19, 1928.

H. R. WARREN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING SEEDS AND OTHER BODIES 6 Sheets-Sheet '1 Original Filed April 7. 1922 June 19, 1928. Re. 17,003

H. R. WARREN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING SEEDS AND OTHER BODIES Original Filed A ri; 7. 1922 s Sheets-Sheet 2 mum mgr/ W7:

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Re. 1.7,003 r H. R. WARREN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING SEEDS AND OTHER BODIES cap-Sheet '4 Original Filed April '7 \xNimWx 6 Sheets-Shut 5 H; R. WARREN METHOD'AND. APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING SEEDS AND OTHER BODIES Original Filed April 7. 1922 June 19, 1928.

June 19, 1928. I v Re. 17,003

H..R. WARREN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING smmas AND OTHER BODIES Original Filed April '7. 1922 .6 sheets-sheet 5 QIIDEMOI lldl'ly R. Wal-relv.

attornegs Reissuecl 1...... 19, 1928.

UNITED STATES I Re. 17,003 PATENT OFFICE- HARRY R. WARREN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO WARREN SEED CLEANING- COMPANY, OF RENO, NEVADA, A CORPORATION OI NEVADA.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING SEEDS AND OCEHER BODIES.

Original No. 1,609,636, dated December 7, 1926, Serial No. 550,396, filed April 7, 1922. Application for reissue filed February 15, 1928. Serial No. 254,572.

Speaking from a practical experience of many years as a seed producer on a large scale in which I have made use of the best appliances on the market available for cleaning and separatingseed, it is impossible by such appliances known to me to get results which do not involve serious waste and loss of seeds of value which must be'treated as mere tailings or screenings because of their unsalvable mixture with a large per centage of noxious seeds, and which, even when the percentage of objectionable seeds is sufficiently small to comply with the pure seed laws which exist in nearly all States, are

' a serious menace from the propagation of banefulgrowths which is inevltable from even the planting of a few noxious seeds present in the proportion permitted by the pure seed laws. This inadequacy of separation of noxious seeds from good seeds .is reflected in the pure seed laws which, placing the standard of purity as high as possible without being prohibitive of dealing in seeds (and thus suicidally making it impos sible for the farmer to obtain seeds) dare not, in the most exacting States, require a higher percentage of purity than from 90% to 97%. In some States a percentage as low as 90% is permitted. Obviously the waste in good seeds and the loss from the damage caused by weed pests are enormous. The object of my invention is to eliminate this loss. My invention is the. outcome of thorough investigation of the methods and appliances commonly used for seed separation and of the problems that the great diversities in seeds present. By my invention perfect salvage or separation can be effected, and by means of apparatus of simple and not costly construction, and of such rapid performance of the operations required as to be quite inexpensive. My invention is based on the familiar fact that bodies of different specific gravities, when placed in a liquid, will settle or float therein at different levels, and while I am aware that it has been proposed to utilize this principle in the separation of seeds,'I do not. know that it has been done in actual practice or on a commercial scale, and I am convinced from my practically ascertained knowledge of the subject that unless characteristics which differentiate my method and apparatus from what has been heretofore proposed are utilized, it is impossible to employ such principle in a'truly practical wa The problem of seed separation by flotation is rendered difficult becauseseeds in the from the liquid after the stratification has taken place, undo, in part at least, the separation that may have been produced. Other diflic-ulties that may be named are the effects that liquids, such as plain water, and aqueous solutions may have on the seeds. Thus salt (sodium chloride), in the water to add to its density sterilizes some seeds, and any undue saturation of the seeds may be objectionable It is therefore evident that the efficient, safe, and otherwise satisfactory separation of seeds in a mixture of assorted seeds, chaff, dirt, etc., calls for the solution of various problems.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of apparatus which may be used to practice the method or process I have invented and which has a construction that embodies my invention regarded as an apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a detail view in vertical section throu h the basket and one of the liquid containing. tanks;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. l illustrating another embodiment of the apparatus of my invention;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section similar to Fig.

2 of the embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the members shown'in Fig. 4 separated;

Fig. 6 is a view like Fig. 1 of another form of my invention;

Fig. 7 is a section on line 7-7 of Fig. 2; Fig. 8 is a'vertical section on the line 88 of Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a vertical section of a basket for grading potatoes;

diagrammatic illustrating an embodiment of my. invention in which the treating liquids or solutions are contained in separate tanks and a single treating tank is employed to which the difierent liquids are supplied in succession;

Fig. 13 is a view somewhat diagrammatic illustrating a. pneumatic stratum removing means;

Fig. 14 is a vertical section of acentrifugal drier that I may'use provided with scarify ing means.

My invention, both as to method or proc-' ess and a paratus, may be carried out or practiced by means of apparatus differing widely in structure and arrangement from that shown in the drawings, and hence the scope of my invention is not to be confined to what is illustrated, and which I describe hereafter, but extends to what is \defined y or embraced within the scope of the appen edclaims.

Generally describing the apparatus shown in the drawings, it embodies a series of liq uid-holding tanks of similar construction, some of which contain pure water, and several (in the case shown, three in number), that contain solutions of different densities and a receptacle for the seed mixture to be treated, which for convenience, I, shall call a basket, which in succession is lowered into and removed from the liquids-in the respective tanks. The basket at the bottom or lower part is of open,'foraminous material, but the sides closed, so that as the basket is lowered into the liquid, the liquid in the inclosing tank will, or may, ascend into the basket, means being provided to. exert pressure on the liquid as the basket descends to cause the flow of the liquid into the basket under positive pressure. This pressure is produced, in the case of the apparatus shown in the drawings, by surrounding the basket at its bottom with a ring which in effect constitutes a piston that presses downward on the liquid in the tank as the basket descends,

a suitable valve arrangement being provided that opens when the basket ascends to allow the flow of liquid past said piston. Thus by a sort of pumping action the liquid, when,

the outsidethereof is a ring, 21, which fits the basket is alternately lowered and lifted, may be caused to surge back and forth between the tank and the interior of the basket and thereby eificiently agitate the seed or other elements of the mixture and facilitate their disposition in horizontal layers according. to their respective specific gravities. When the components or elements of the mixture are Stratified the heaviest and therefore the lowermost layer is removed by disa charging it together with its enveloping liquid from the bottom of the basket and passtail of what is shown in the drawings, and

referring first to what is shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the basket, 10, is of cylinder form having imperforate side walls and a bottom, 11, of wire mesh or otherwise perforated, and of funnel shape, so that, while it will adequately support a mixture of seeds and other material, there may be a free flow of liquid into and out of the basket. It has a top or cover, 12, preferably hinged so that it may be swung to open and close the top which has a gasket, 13, or other packing, to make an airtight closure. When the top is in closed position and the basket is lifted, whatever liquid is in the basket at such time will be lifted with the basket and may be emptied therefrom by opening the cover to allow the entrance of air. At its top the basket has pivoted to it a handle or bail, 14, by which the basket may be suspended from the rope or chain, 15, of a hoist, 16, that is mounted upon an overhead trolley track, 17 above the series of tanks, and thus the basket may be shifted back and forth between the tanks and lowered into and raised from any one of them.

The tank in which the seed mixture is first treatedis a tank, 18, that contains pure or normal water, the purpose of this treatment being to wash the seed of any adhering dust 'or dirt and also to facilitate the movement of the seeds in the heavier solutions, since it has been found that previously moistened seeds stratify in the heavier solutions more readily than dry seeds. The water.tank, 18,

at its bottom is in communication with a sediment. box, 19; a valve, 20, being provided in the pipe that runs from the tank to the sediment box. v

Near the bottom of the basket, 10, and on with more or less closeness the annular space between the basket and the wall of the tank, 18, and constitutes a piston which acts upon the water in the tank, 18, around the basket as the latter descends and thereby the water is forced from the tank, 18, into the basket with the result that the basket contents are stirred up or agitated, and thus eflicient access of the water to the seeds, etc., in the basket afforded. Any desired degree of turbulent movement may be secured by varying the rate of movement of the basket. piston forming ring, 21, is provided with a check valve or valves, 22, which prevent the upward passage of liquid as the basket descends in the tank into the" space between the basket and the tank while allowing the flow into such space of liquid when the basket is lifted.

After being washed in the water tank, 18, the basket, 10, is moved to position above a tank, 24, which contains a liquid of the greatest density that is to be used in the treatment, such density being suflicient to cause the ascent in the liquid of all components of the mixture, excepting, for example, such noxious seeds as dodder, gravel, dirt, and the like, so that heavy dodder, gravel,-etc., will be accumulated or collected in the lower part of the basket in a layer or stratum sharply separated from the lighter components of the mixture which will contain seeds of value of several grades and such light stuff as chaff. The separation or segregation of the mixture by the action of the solution in the tank, 24, is facilitated by the reciprocation or up and down movement of the basket, which, by thepumping action on the liquid in the tank, 24, such as I have described, will cause the displacement of the components and their loosening up or separation from one another. In order that the action taking place in the basket, 10, may be readily seen, the basket, 10, may have in its side an observation win? dow, or glass, 25, and an observation window or glass, 26, may be provided'in the side of the tank 24. To obviate any obscuring effect of the liquid in the annular space between the basket and the tank, 24, the basket when it is desired to inspect its contents may be lifted sufficient in the tank, 24, to clear the liquid in the tank, 24, such liquid as may be forced into the basket, 10, being contained therein by the closing of the basket cover, 12.

From the bottom of the tank, 24 (which is preferably of cone form or funnel shaped), depends a pipe, 27, which leads into the top of a smaller-tank, 28. directly below thetank, 24, a valve, 29, being placed in such pipe to control flow from the tank, 24, to the tank, 28, below it. \Vhenthe stratification to be effected in tank, 24, is accomplished, the heavy objectionable material collected in the bottom part of the basket, 10, is discharged therefrom through a small opening, 30, in the perforated bottom, 11, of the basket,which hole, 30, is closed by a valve, 31, which is moved to an open position when such removal is to be effected. The

valve, 29, also being open, the material flow- The ing out of the basket will pass through the pipe, 27, into the tank, 28, the valve, 29, being closed to shut off the flow when this has been removed from the basket,'the valve, 31, controlling the opening, 30, inthe bottom of the basket being also closed. The top of the tank, 28, is closed, and to allow escape of air from within the tank as it fills with heavy material and solution that flows from the tank, 24, a breather pipe, 32, is provided that at its upper end. is carried to a level above the highest level of liquid within the tank, 24. The tank, 28, which also preferably has a hopper shaped bot-tom, has an outlet pipe, 33, from its bottom which pipe has a valve, 34, and above the valve,

34, a branch outlet pipe 35, having a control valve, 36, leads to a tank, 37, so that when the valve, 36, is open, and the valve, 34, closed, such solution-as enters the tank, 28, may be delivered to the tank, 37 which for convenience I term the salvage solution tank,

since its purpose is to save such solution.

The opening into the pipe, 35, from the discharge pipe, 33, has a screen, 350, which will allow only liquid to pass into the pipe, The solution having thus' been drained from the tank, 28, the valve, 36, in pipe, 35, is closed, and the valve, 34, in the outlet pipe, 33, is open sorthat the drained material therein may pass into a receiving tank 38,'which is partially filled with clear water, to wash the material entering the tank, 38, of any treating solution adhering thereto for the purpose of saving it. From the receiving tank, 38, the heavy solids and the liquid are passed to a tank, 39, and valved pipes, 40 and 41, effect-the separation of'liquid and solid matters that pass from the tank, 39. The liquid from the pipe, 41, is delivered to a receiving tank, 42, with which is connected a pump, 43, that returnsit through pipe, 44, to the tank,- 38. The solid matter. passing through the discharge pipe, 40, is delivered to drying apparatus which consists preferably of a centrifugal drier, 45, and, a rotary drum type drier, 46, from which it is discharged in a thoroughly dried condition.

1 fter the operation in connection with tank, 24, which results in the elimination of refuse material settling in the basket ber low the seeds of value and matters lighter than the latter, the remaining basket con tents are subjected to the action of tanks and other apparatus identical with that already described in connection with the stratification preliminary to the removal of refuse material, the similar or corresponding parts being similarly numbered with an'affix of the letter ato; each number. The tank, 24',

contains a solution of. a densit that will support or float only bodies of ass specific value, which latter are thereupon removed from the-basket by a treatment or procedure identical with that described 'in connection with the removal of heavy refuse matter, in the mixture; and a third apparatusconsisting' of a solution-holding tank and other tanks and apparatus precisely similar to the two which comprise the solution tank, 24,-

aud the solution tank, 2.4", is rovided for ":the stratification of seeds .of ya no of second .quality and the lighter bodies 'remaining with them in the basket, 10, and the corresponding parts of this third unit or treating apparatus are designated by the same numerals as those two units with the sufiix to each numeral of the letter, 6. The'solution in the tank, 24, has a density which causes such light material as chaff to rise to a level in the basket higher than the second quality seeds of value, and by a similar procedure to that hereinbefore described, the second quality seeds of value are removed from the. basket, 10, leaving therein only such light material as chaff, pieces of straw, etc.

The basket, 10, now containing light refuse material, with which may be mixed seeds having some value as chicken or stock feed, isimoved by the trolley to a position above a tank 51 that contains clear water which will serve to separately stratify whatever remains of seeds of value and the lightor chaff or straw, the'seeds of value settling in the water to the bottom, the basket, 10, being Worked in connection with that tank in asimilar manner to that in which it is worked in connection with the tanks containing solutions of. greater density than water. The seeds of value Stratified by the operation of the tank, 51, after being dischargedinto the tank, 51, are discharged from the latter through an outlet pipe, 52, having a valve, 53, into a lowers, collecting tank, 54, which has. an outlet pipe, 55, that delivers the seed of value to the centrifugal 45. The pipe, 55, has a valve, 56, and above the valve, 56, a branch outlet, 57, having a valve, 58, is provided for draining water or liquid that may flow into the tank, 54, along with the seeds of value. The pipe, 57, discharges to a receiving tank, 59, from which by a pump, 60, the water or liquid may be pumped through a pipe, 61, to an elevated tank, 62. The receiving tank, 59, has a settling or sediment box, 63. I

The subjection of the contents of the basket to the action of water in the tank, 51,

. washes therefrom any treating solution which may adhere thereto, and such solution is salvaged by the drainage that takes place from the tank,5:4, throu h the valved pipe, 57. It will be understoo that the inlet end of the pipe, 57, has a screen that permits only liquid to pass into such ipe.

After treatment in the tan 51, the basket is carried to a tank, 63, and inverted thereover so as to empty the chaff and other refuse contents still remainin in the basket, 10, into the tank, 63, and mm the tank, 63 the materials dumped therein are discharged byan outlet pipe, 64, leading from the bottom of tank, 63, to the tank, 54, and the flow or passage of the chaff, etc., is facilitated or accomplished by discharging water thereon while in the tank, 63, in suflicient volume for the purpose. The outlet pipe, 64, has a valve 65, just above'tlie tank, 54, and hence by reason of the valve, 53, in the pipe, 52, the tanks, 51 and 63,'may at different times be placed in communication with the tank, 54, and hence no mixing of the seeds of value removed as a result of the treatment in tank, 51, and the chaff coming with the tank, 62, has a va ved connection, v

69, with each of the solution tanks, 24, 24.

and 24", and tanks, 51 and 63, for the purpose of replenishing the solution in such tanks, and in the ease of the tanks, 24 and 24", of diminishing the density thereof which is aptto be increased in the operation of the apparatus by the transfer from tank, 24, of solution of the greatest'density along with the contents of the b'asket,10.

Insome' cases it may not be necessary to submerge the final residue of chaff, etc in the water or liquid of tank, 51, but merel to wash or rinse 'off from such residue ad ering solution and for that purpose a spray head, 70, ma be provided having a valved pipe that ta es water or 1i uid from the overhead tank, 62, such spray ead, 70, being movably supported by a suitable flexible pipe connection to permit its movement to and from position for use. i

It will be observed that with the complete unit beginning with the gravity solution tank, 24, 24", or 24", and ending with the centrifu a] or other drier, the seeds of .value, w ether first or second grade, do not there is no danger of spoiling or contaminating the separated seeds of value which might possibly exist if the various grades of seed separated or the separated bodies of other kind passed in succession through'the same pipes or tanks to the walls of which seeds or materials previously passed therethrough might adhere and, through inattention or unskillful operation of the apparatus,

might not-first be removed; The danger ex-.

ists in the case of the final or waste residue which is treated in tanks, 51 and 63, because the product of the treatment in these tanks is delivered to the one tank, 54, and passes therefrom through the same pipe to the centrifugal, 45, but in this case any slight mixture is of no real importance because of the low value of the products of tanks, 51 and 63. The chaff or other wholly. useless light stufi' delivered to the tank, 63, might be discharged to a waste pile instead of be ing delivered to the tank, 54, and thence passed to the centrifugal, 45. It may be desirable, however, to treat and preserve this dockage because as a rule, a customer having his seed cleaned desires to know just how much dockage resulted from the treatment of his seed.

As the liquid removed by the action of the centrifugal is gravity solution, and therefore it is desirable to salvage it for use over again, a discharge pipe may be run from the centrifugal to the salvage tank, already pro-' vided, such arrangement being shown in Fig. 1 where the centrifugal, 45,,is shown provided with a leads to and empties in the salvage tank, 42.

My invention may be embodied in or practiced by apparatus in which the various treating tanks in succession deliver their respective products to a common outlet, such an arrangement having the advantage of simplification of apparatus but which will not effect the perfect results of the individ-' ual units as above described except with a high degree of care in the operation of the apparatus on the part of the workmen. In Figs. 3 to 5 I illustrateappaiatus having a common outlet for the productsof the various treating tanks and which in otherrespects differs from what is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, and I will now describe what is shown therein.

The mixture containing and handling basket appearing in Figs. 3 to 5 comprises two cylinders, 100 andlOl, one of which is of less diameter than the other so that it ma be moved in a telescopic fashion into an out of the other, the smaller or inner cylinder, 100, having a bottom, 110, of foraminous or reticulated material with a valved outlet, 300, and having amovable lid or cover, 120, while the large or outer cylinder, 101, has no lid or cover. but does have a foraminous bottom, 111, with a valved outlet, 301. Near its lower end the cylinder, 101, carries a valved piston, 210,

between such tanks and the basket.

discharge pipe, 71, which,

=-returned by a pipe, 455, @241.

tank, 459, from which by which the pressure producing or pumping action on the liquid in the various water or solution-holdng tanks is produced and the liquid transferred or movedback and Both cylinders have bails of handles, that of the smaller cylinder being designated 140, and

i the bail or handle of the larger cylinder, 101,,

being designated 141, by which either alone or together the cylinders may be suspended by the trolley hoist, 16, which may be run back and forth upon the overhead'track or beam, 171

The mixture to be .reated is placed in the basket cylinder, 100, and lowered into the basket cylinder, 101, which has already been placed in the plain water tank, 180, for first treatment, and the two cylinders of such basket are then together moved up and down in'the tank, 180, to-force the water with the necessary pressure into the basket cylinder, 100, the result of the treatment being the stratification of the chaff and other light material at or adjacent the level of the water in the cylinder, 100. The valved outlet, 300, from the basket cylinder, 100, is now opened to empty therefrom into the basket cylinder, 101, all the components of the mixture except said stratum of chaff or other light material, and that being accomplished the basket cylinder, 100, alone is lifted to clear the basket cylinder, 101, and is carried by the trolley to the point of disforthcharge of the chaff or like refuse which pref- A simplified construction is shown in Fig.

6 in which after the delivery of the lowermoststratum to the tanks, 281, 281 and 281' (corresponding to the tanks 28, 28 and 28?), which respectively are below solution-holding tanks, 241, 241 and 241, corresponding to the solution-holding tanks of Fig. 1, such stratum is passed directly to a centrifugal, 451, 451 or 451", (according to the unit in-' volved, from which the gravity solution is discharged) by a pipe 452, to 453, from which bya pump, 454, it may be to the gravity tank, After the gravity solution is thus drained from the centrifugal, the seed or solid material remaining therein which may have solution adhering to it is washed or rinsed by clear water which may be flowed into the centrifugal from a tank, 456, through a valved outlet, 457. The rinsing water is drained from the centrifugal by a valved outlet pipe, 458, that discharges it to a catch by a pump, 460, it may be returned to the-tank, 456, for reuse a salvage tank,

until the water reaches such a point of'saturation that it forms a gravity solution that may be used in the gravity tanks, the tank,

., that most seeds of value morereadil needing further description as the descrip-- tion given in connection with Fi 1 is sufficient'. As at no time from the discharge of seed or material from the treating tanks, etc.,

of a unit to the centrifugal of that unit, is the seed not in liquid, there can be no lodgment of the seed at an intermediate point of the apparatus which would have to be removed before the apparatus could later be used on a different lot of seed mixture.

In some mixtures of seeds the specific gravities and sizes of different classes in the mixture are so nearly the same as to make separation by known appliances or methods difiicult, if not impossible. I have discovered a sorb moisture than do noxious seeds. take advantage of this by soaking such mixtures in water or an aqueous solution. This results in a greater change in the specific grav- 'ity and size of the seeds ofvalue than of the noxious seeds, and thus so differentiates the two classes of seeds that they may be readily separated by my apparatus and method employing ravit or sieves which depend upon difference in size to effect the separation.

, Inasmuch asv in the successive, use of the apparatus with mixtures coming from different sources, it may be important 'to preclude the presence in the baskets of any residue of seed from a previous treatment, it may be desirable to provide means for assuring the removal of such residue. Seed might remain lodged upon the perforated bottom, 11, of

the basket, whose removal could be effected mally top end of the basket. If air is used,

it would dry or help to dry the seed 'thus dislodged and removed from the basket.

Inasmuch as it is advantageous to scarify seed for planting, I contemplate providing on the inner walls of the centrifugal abrading means, so that simultaneously with the moisture removing operation, the scarifying can be done, the arrangement to be such that only during a portion of the time of operis subdivided by ation of the centrifugal will the scarifying effect he produced. 7

In Fig. 9 I "show a construction of basket which is especially adapted for cleaning and separation of the good from the bad or defective andthe gradin of potatoes as to size. In thisease the asket cylinder, 102,

horizontal screen form or solutions, or by screens lower levels accordin to the sizes of the openings or mesh. 'fhus by the action of the liquid within the basket, the rotten or defective potatoes being lighter than the sound potatoes will accumulate at the top of the liquid and by moving the basket up and down the potatoes will gradually accumulate according to their respective sizes upon the several partitions and thus be graded according to size. The perforated partitions or screens, 103,- are attached at their edges to a frame consisting of several vertical parallel bars or rods, 104, by which the partitions are supported for vertical movement and when the desired separation or grading has been accomplished and the basket is removed from the treating tank, it may, as shown in Fig. 9, be supported at its bottom over a hole, 105, in a table or platform,"106, and then the partition-supporting'frame may be lowered to place the partitions in succession below the support ing table, 106, with the result that the potatoes resting upon a partition will roll or fall therefrom as the artition passes beneath the table, 106, t e potatoes as they roll from a partition being received by an inclined guide, 107, which directs them to a" suitable receptacle. At the top the bars, 104, are connected by a ring, 108, to which is attached a bail, 109, that is connected to a supporting rod, 104, by the up and down movements of which the position of the partitions is fixed. The rod, 104, passes through a guide hole, 142, in the bail, 143, by which the basket cylinder is suspended. The partitions, 103, are preferably cone shaped as shown to facilitate the movement therefrom of the potatoes. The potatoes in the cylinder can be readily dried by hot air passed therethrough.

If found desirable the weight of the basket may be counter-balanced, for example, as shown in Fig, '1," by means of a counterweight, 72, supported by a rope or chain that passes over pulleys on the trolley, '15.

The pumping action by which the liquid is forced under-pressure lnto'and out of the basket obviously may be produced. otherwise. than by the use ofthe basket member as a piston, as for example by the pump, 73,

shown in Fig. 10.

Various materials may be used to increase the density of water to provide the gravity solutions employed in the practice of my invention, Thus saccharine matter, (such as sugar, honey, glucose, syrup), water glass salt, sodium nitrate, potassium carbonate and potassium iodide may be used, and in some cases certain of them may be used together or alone. Materials possessing insecticide properties may be used and those which have a fertilizing effect may be used.

By the term gravity liquld in the claims hereto appended is meantany liqu d that will cause different classes of seeds to stratify therein at different levels according-to their respective specific gravities.

A clear idea of the procedure mvolved in effecting the stratification and separation of the several components of a mixture may be had by reference to Fig. 11, in which the stratification which results from the treatment in the tank 242, containing the solu tion of the heaviest density is shown, at the commencement of the discharge from the basket of the gravel, etc., that is too heavy to be floated by the solution. In tank 242, Fig. 11, the condition after the heavy material resulting from the first solution treatment has been removed and the Stratification that results from the next following treatment is illustrated, the heaviest material in such case being the seeds of value of first grade that are too heavy to be floated in the solution. The operator by watching, stops the flow from the basket 10 and the solutionholding tank after the lowermost strata of non-floating material has run off so that no discharge of the solution carrproceed far enough to allow the bodies floatlng therein to pass ofl. v

As illustrated in Fig. 11 the flow-discharge of the different strata may be effected by means -of a siphon. which may bea flexible tube or hose, 7 4, introduced through an opening in the basket wall above the level of the contents of the basket with its inlet end within the stratum, (which may be the lowest or highest or any intermediate stratum), to be drawn off, the lower or discharge end of the hose being carried to a centrifugal drier, 75. The current of liquidand seed or other bodies flowin through the siphon will be delivered direct y from the basket to.-

the centrifugal drier, from whichthe dried product and the solution will be separately discharged,- the solution being returned to the treating tank for reuse.- When the hose is withdrawn from the opening in the basket wall, such opening may be closed in an airtight manner by a cap, 76, so that the use of the basket in connection with the closed cover at the to thereof for holding the liquid inthe bas et at a height regardless of the level of the liquid 'in the treating tank may not be interfered with. Of course, the

hose could be inserted through the top of the basketby opening the cover.

By the process of flowing off a stratum of segregated bodies, which is done by gravity of siphonic action, it will be seen that no agitation or movement of the basket contents is caused which would result in remixing the components of the mixture which is ters are drawn olf. To

basket up and down during the drawing off process, and under some conditions such a slight up and down movement of the basket may promote or expedite the discharge from the basket of the bodies of the lowermost stratum, when the bottom outlet is used.

As shown in Fig. 6, the observation win dows may be applied in the outlet pipe from the treating tanks instead of in the latter,

such windows, 77, being provided in the enlarged portion, 78, of said pipes, 79.

In Fig. 6, (as also in Fig. 11), a siphon,

74 is provided as well as the discharge hole at the bottom of the basket, to draw off the basket contents, the siphon, 7 4, being passed through the top opening of the basket and of a length to discharge directly to the centrifugal, 451. This double provision makes it possible to discharge certain strata by siphonic action and others by mere gravitation through the, basket bottom outlet. The siphon when not in use can, be coiled upon top of the basket as shown in Fig. 6.

To enable chaff or other light stuff that would not submerge of its own'weight to be siphoned'ofl', a piston-like plunger could be placed in the basket, attached, if desired, to the siphon, near its inlet end by which the light stuif could be forced down into the liquid so as to flow off. with the latter through the siphon. Or, by connecting the siphon with a suction pump, such light material could be thereby sucked out.

In Fig. 13 I show pneumatic means for removing the different strata which com prises a suction or vacuum pump, 81, and a pipe or tube, 82, that is introduced into the basket, 10. In this 'case the basket is removed from the treating tanks and contains no liquid, so that-one stratum of bodies lies upon another, and, hence,.only the solid matprevent the seed or other bodies entering the" pump, 81, (to their 'damage) the pipe or tube, 82, is made in two sections which communicate with a catch re-- oeptacle 82, into which the seed, etc., fall,

when the air carrying them. enters said re ceptacle, the air alone passing out of the receptacle. A screen or perforated bafiie plate, 83, is in the receptacle in the path of the seed and air current, which assures the arrest of the seed.

Referring to Fig. 12, water and solutions of graduated density are respectively placed in tanks, 84, 85, 86. and 87, and from each pipes having a valve to control communicainto any one of such tanks as may tion between it and the operating tank, 24. The basket, 10, for holding the mixture to be treated thus requires to be moved only vertically and hence the necessity of transporting 'it horizontally when separate treat ing tanks are employed is avoided; In Fig. 12, a si hon ipe or tube, 74, is shown entering t e has (et, 10, at the top, its lower or discharge end delivering to a centrifugal drier 45, having anoutlet for the dried'sced or solid bodies and a dischargepipe for the liquid which is delivered to a tank from which it is pumped back to the appropriate supply tank for reuse.- The normal water which passes from tank,'84, to the treatlng tank, 24, is preferably discharged from the centrifugal y a pipe, 71, to a tank,'72, from which it may e pumped by a pump, 73, through a vertica pipe from which valved connections, 75, run to each of the supply tanks so that the water may be pissed quired. The solution passing into the cen trifug'al, 45, is discharged from the latter preferably by a pipe, 76, to a tank 77, from which by a pump, 7 8, it is raised by a vertical pipe, 79, to .the pipe having the valved connectlons, 79", so that the solution may be returned to any one of the solution tanks, 85, 86 and 87. By outlet, 24, there may be direct gravity removal of seeds, etc., to centrifugal, 45.

Referring again toFig. 13, 1t Wlll be understood that there'is a separate pneumatic pipe or tube, 82, with its catch receptacle, 82, for each layer or stratum of bodies to be removed, an that such receptacles must be air-tight. Leading from the bottom of each receptacle, 82, is a valved outlet p pe, 89, from which the seed or bodies falling therein are discharged to a centrifugal, 45. To cause the fiowfrom the receptacle, 82, of seed or solid collected therein, water is introduced into the top by .means of a valvedconnection, 90, pvith apl'pe, 91, that receives water front an elevated tank, 92. From each centrifugal the water is drained into 'a catch tank, 93, from which it may be pumped back into the tank, 92, by a pump, 94, from which a. p pe, 95, runs to the tank, 92. Inasmuch as it'would be difficult: if not; impossible to prevent the bodies of adjacent layers being drawn off at the same time, I prefer to provide a separate tank, '82", and pneumatic pipe, 82,

which at one .end is connected wlth the vacuum pump, 81, and at the other end may be introduced into the basket, 10, to take from the latter the'adjacent portions of two layers orstrata'and these intermediate or doubtful bodies. are preferably returned to the'basket, 10, by a valve discharge pipe,

89, leading from the bottom of the catch receptacle or tank, 82", to be treated over again, water being supplied to the tank for the doubtful material by a branch, 90", from the pipe 91, which takes water from vated tank, 92.

The centrifugal-shown indetail in Fig. 1-1 is of a. well known type having a drum, 93, with perforated walls carried by a vertical Shaft, 94. Reaching or slightly below the top rim of the drum is a cylindrical shell,

the 01c- 95, whose inner periphery is roughened to form an abrading surface which shell is supported either st-ationar-ily relative. to the rotating drum or supported so that it may operate ln'the opposite direction at a desired speed. As shown in Fig. 14, said shell is attached by afiange, 96, to the top of the- .casing of the machine as by means of bolts,

.97, so that when the abrading surface becomes worn a new shell may be readily substituted. 'When in the operation of the centrifugal the seed rises to the top of the rotating shell the momentum it has will carry it up over and into contact with the abrading surface of the shell, 95, and the seed will thereby be scarified and will fall d'owu through the central portion of the drum to the bottom thereof and again be thrown outward by centrifugal force crowding other seed against the perforated wall of the drum and itself again be carried to the abrading surface, this operation being carried on as long as necessary. Inasmuch as the seed thrown against and rebounding from the abrading surface is loosened up instead of being -'in a densely-compacted state on the perforated wall of the drum, the drying of the seed is expedited since the air has freer access thereto and if desired heated air may be introduced into the centrifugal to act upon the loosened up and flying seed. A centrifugal provided with the shell with the abrading surface can also be used for hulling clover and other seed.

What I claim is:

1. The method of separating mixtures of bodies of different specific gravities which consists in )lacing the mixture in a receptacle, intro ucingthe receptacle in succession to tanks that respectively contain liquids of different densities, and intermediate the action of liquid in successive tanks removing a bottom stratum of bodies from the receptacle in'the presence of liquid in the stratified .mass retainingv in such receptacle for subsequent treatment what is above such bot tom stratum.

2. The methodof separating mixtures of bodies of different specific gravities which consists in subjecting the mixture while in a receptacle to the action of a. liquid that causes disposition of the bodies at different levels according to their respective specific gravities, the liquid having av density that.

willlsustain certain of the bodies but not liquid. 7

3. T he method 0t separating mixtures of bodies of different specific gravities which consists in subjecting the mixture while in a receptacle to the action of a l1qu1d that causes disposition of the bodies at different levels according to their respective specific gravities, the liquid having a density that will sustain certain of the bodies but not others, then withdrawing, by gravitation, the bodies too heavy to be sustained by the liquid, and then repeating the same treatment with what remains in the receptacle in a liquid of less density than that previously used.

4. The method of separating mixtures of bodies of different specific gravities which consists in enveloping such mixture in succession in liquids of different density each liquid stratifying the. bodies in different levels according to their respective specific gravities and separating a stratum in the presence of the stratifying liquid between the successive treatments. v

The method of separating mixtures of bodies of diflerentspecific gravities which consists in enveloping such a mixture while in a receptacle in a liquid that causes the bodies to occupy different levels according to their respective specific gravities, and then separating the different strata by causing the bodies thereof to flow from the receptacle in a stream with the stratifying liquid, solely by atmospheric pressure.

6. The method of separating mixtures of bodies of different specific gravities which consists in enveloping such a mixture while in a receptacle in a liquid that causes the bodies to occupy different levels accordin to their respective specific gravities, an

then separating the different strata by causing the bodies thereof to flow from the receptacle in a stream with the stratifying liquid, solely by gravitation.

7. The method of separating a mixture of seeds 'of different classes which comprises the steps of stratifying the different classes in a gravity liquid, removing the bottom stratum with its enveloping liquid by ravity, then draining the gravity liquid .t erefrom, and then washing from the seed the gravity liquid adheringthereto.

8. The method of separating a mixture of seeds of different classes which consists in soaking the mixture in a liquid, then stratifying the different classesin a. gravity liquid out strata, and then removing the strata one at a time each with its enveloping liquid.

9. The method of separating a mixture of seeds of different classes which consists in first wetting the mixture, then stratifying with a zone of the liquid between the difl'erthe mixture'in a gravity liquid with a zone of the liquid between the different strata, and then removing the bottom stratum with its enveloping liquid ,while maintaining the other strata intact.

10. The method of separating a mixture of seeds of different classes which consists instratifying the different classesin a gravity liquid with a zone of the liquid between the different strata, then drawing off the bottom stratum with its enveloping liquid, and then separating the seed of said stratum from its enveloping liquid.

11. The method of separating a mixture of seeds of" different classes which consists in stratifying the different classes in a grav-,

ity liquid with a zone of the gravity li uid between the different strata, and then owing off a stratum together with its enveloping liquid and Without disturbing the other strata.

12. The method of separating a mixture of seeds of different classes which consists in stratifying the different classes in a gravity'liquid with a zone of the gravity liquid between the ditt'erent strata, and then re.

moving a stratum together with its enveloping liquid and without breaking up the other strata.

13. The method of separating a mixture of seeds of different classes which consists in stratifying the different classes in a gravity liquid with a zone of the gravity liquid between the different strata, and then separately flowing off each strata together with its enveloping liquid.

14. The method of separating a mixture of seeds of different classes which consists in stratifying the different classes in a ayity liquid with a zone of the gravity liquld between the different strata, and then removing the several strata one at a time each with its enveloping liquid.

15. A classifyin apparatus comprising a liquid-holding ta a mixture-holdin basket havin an outlet at its bottom, the liquid in the tan entering the basket when placed therein and having a density that will float a certain component of the mixture but not another, and an outlet from the bottom of the tank through which to flow the mixture component not floated by the liquid.

16. A classifying apparatus comprising a liquid-holding tank, a mixture-holding basket, the tank and basket being separable, pressure means for causing an interchange of liquid between the tank and the interior of the basket, the liquid having density to float one component of the mixture but not nents 17. A classifying apparatus comprising a' another and means to separate the compot the mixture when stratified.

from such tank a portion of the mixture classified therein along with a portion of the liquid in the tank, a drier to which such liquidand mixture component aredelivered together, and means for the separate discharge from such drier of said liquid and said, component.

18.- A classifying apparatus comprising-a liquid-holding tank, means to confine the mixture to be classified when enveloped in the liquid in such tank, means to remove from such tank a portion of the mixture classified therein along with a portion of the liquid in the tank, a drier to which such liquid and mixture component are delivered together, means for the separate discharge from such drier of said liquid, and said mixture-holding drawingbofi' the liquid and stratified component, and means to return the liquid thus separated to the first mentioned tank. 19. A classifyin apparatus comprising a mixture and liquid-holding receptacle, the liquid having density that will stratify the components of a mixture, and means for bodies therein siphonic action. 1 '20. A classifying apparatus comprising a mixture and liquid-holding receptacle, the liquid having density that will strati the components of a mixture, means for awin ofi the liquid and stratified bodies therein y siphonic action, and means for removing a stratum independently of siphonic action. 7

21. A classifying apparatus comprisin a mixture-holding basket, a liquid-holding tank into and out of which the basket is movable, the liquid havin a density that causes the Stratification o the components of the mixture in the basket, and pneumatic means 'to remove the difie'rent strata.

22. A classifyin a paratus comprising a asket, a liquid-holding tank into. and out of which the basket is ra-lity of stora movable, the liquid having a density that causes the stratification of the components,

of the mixture in the'basket', and pneumatic means to remove the different strata' 'com- V and a conduit prising a suction pump tweenthe pump and thevbasket having a catch tank for solid bodies. at a point inter- T e tanks containing liquids of a'separating tank,

connections from the separating tank to each storage tank.

24. In a. seed separating apparatus, a plue tanks containing liquids of different specific gravities, a separating tank on a diiferent level from said storage tanks, valved connections from said storage tanks to the separating tank, a connection from the separating tank to each storage tank, and power means moving the liquid in one direction, whereby gravity moves it in the other direction.

' 25. In a seed separating apparatus, the combination of a separating tank containing a gravity liquid in which the different classes of seeds are stratified, a chamber below said tank, a valved. connection between said tank and chamber whereby the bottom stratum with its enveloping liquid may be removed from said tank to said chamber, and means separating the liquid from the seed in said'chamber.

26. In a seed separating apparatus, the combination of a. separating tank containing a gravity liquid inwhich the seeds are stratified, a chamber'below said separating tank,

a valved conduit leading from said tank to said chamber whereby the bottom stratum in said tank with its enveloping liquid may be transferred from said tank to said chamher, a conduit conveying liquid 'from said chamber. and a tank to which said liquid is delivered from said last named'chamber.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification.

HARRY R. WARREN. 

